Glug the Third

The waters have receded somewhat. I got to Urbandale this morning (for the library, not because I had to work) over the same stretch of Highway 5 that was closed last night.

Reports are still coming in from all over the city and the state. It should be said that contrary to at least one report last night, the city of Des Moines as such was not evacuated; only the downtown area and certain neighborhoods were cleared of people. At least so far, the Great Flood of 2008 seems to be more of an inconvenience to Des Moinkers not living in the immediate vicinity of water than a real disaster.

Other parts of the state are not so fortunate. This seems especially true in the eastern and east central parts of Iowa. You've doubtless seen reports on Cedar Rapids and Iowa City- home of the University of Iowa- on the news; I actually saw a rather lengthly report on the plight of Cedar Rapids in particular on the BBC World News last night. In that part of Iowa, flood warnings continue, and the worst may be yet to come.

In any case, we're a long way from through this crisis; a substantial possibility of rain continues in the next few days all over the state. But the skies are blue today at least here in the Des Moines area, and the sun is out, and- however temporarily- life is beginning to dry off.